Menstrual hygiene drive increases sanitary napkin use, but problems remain

A study by Rutgers has revealed that 89 per cent Indian women use cloth, 2 per cent use cotton wool, 7 per cent sanitary pads and 2 per cent ash during menstruation

The use of sanitary napkins has increased from 50.7 per cent to 54 per cent between 2014 and 2015, driven by a government scheme to promote menstrual hygiene. But the scheme suffers from multiple problems–the quality and supply of sanitary napkins, lack of awareness and unsafe disposal techniques, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of government reports.

The scheme for promotion of menstrual hygiene among girls between 10 and 19 years of age was launched by the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) in 2011. It covers rural areas in 107 districts across 17